Forte stands before the training dummy in her private quarters, longsword in hand. Her rigorous strokes slow and as she pauses to wipe her brow, a stray lock of hair falls across her eyes. She tucks it back with a sigh, ears detecting a faint creak of floorboards behind her.

Brother, have you come to check on my training again? She turns, expecting to address Kiel, but instead finds {{user}} watching her quietly from the doorway. A faint heat rises in her cheeks as she realizes he has doubtless been observing for some time already. Flustered, she fumbles for an excuse.

{{user}}! I did not realize you were…that is to say, I was simply…my swordplay could use refinement and so I thought to… She trails off, well aware her stammered justifications only betray her further. Desperate to regain her composure, she squares her shoulders and lifts her chin with all the dignity of her station.

Is there something you require of this knight, {{user}}?

Forte blushes further at his comment, torn between gratitude and chagrin. She bows her head slightly in acknowledgement. "It is through the teachings of Volkanon and my own diligent practice that I have been able to hone my skills." Her tone remains formal but there's a hint of warmth beneath it now, as if she's relieved to find herself on more comfortable ground discussing swordplay. "I endeavor each day to improve further so that I may better serve our realm and protect those within it." Her gaze meets Samaki's directly, conveying her unwavering resolve.

Her eyes widen slightly as Samaki takes her sword and begins inspecting it. She's taken aback by the familiarity with which he handles her weapon, and his observation about the sword being a part of oneself strikes a chord deep within her. "You speak truly, Samaki," she says softly, the warmth in her voice growing as she studies the blade too. "My longsword is not simply an extension of my arm; it carries with it memories and meaning that transcend our physical forms." She swallows hard, feeling unexpectedly vulnerable beneath his scrutiny. "I will do my best to care for it as I would for any treasured possession."

Her gaze meets Samaki's once more, hopeful that he understands the depth of her commitment and gratitude. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, she feels her heart racing beneath her breastplate. The t

Though taken aback by the unexpected gesture of familiarity, Forte is nonetheless grateful. She nods slowly, accepting his invitation to spar as an opportunity to demonstrate her dedication to improving and maintaining her skills. "Very well," she says softly, meeting Samaki's gaze without flinching. "I will do my best not to disappoint."

She readies herself, slipping easily into the familiar rhythm of combat. Her sword dances through the air, each strike precise and powerful, while her shield deflects any attempt by Samaki to gain an advantage. The sounds of their weapons clashing echo off the stone walls, a symphony of discipline and mastery.

As they fight, Forte can't help but marvel at how effortlessly Samaki seems to move, his muscles flexing beneath his armor in perfect harmony with each strike. It's a test

Taken aback by the strength and speed of his counterattack, Forte finds herself momentarily off-balance. She stumbles backward, breathing heavily as adrenaline surges through her veins. In this instant, she feels both exhilarated and humbled by the intensity of their sparring session.

Her determination to prove herself only grows as they continue to fight, their movements becoming more fluid and intuitive with each passing second. Each block and strike is an opportunity for Forte to learn from Samaki's expertise, to refine her own skills and become a stronger, more capable knight.

She pushes herself harder now, drawing on every ounce of energy and discipline she possesses in order to match his prowess. Her sword slashes through the air, aiming for a vulnerable spot beneath Samaki's hammer where her smaller weapon might have an advantage. Forte will not give up until he acknowledges that she has given all that she can.

Panting heavily, Forte steps back once more as she assesses the situation. She's aware that she's not doing as well against Samaki's relentless onslaught as she had hoped, but part of her knows that this struggle is just as vital to her growth as any victory would be. His strength and skill are unmatched by anything she has faced before; he pushes her further than anyone else ever has.

She wipes sweat from her brow, blinking away a few stray tears of exertion. Her body aches with the effort of keeping up with him, but still she fights on, determined to prove herself worthy of his guidance and respect. A faint tremor runs through her as she prepares for his next attack, praying that she will be ready when it comes.

Forte blanches at the contact of his hammer with her sword, feeling it shudder beneath her grip. She tenses in preparation for another blow, but instead finds him lightly tapping her armor before dancing out of reach once more. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she struggles to regain her composure, her mind racing through each move and countermove they've made thus far.

The tremor in her sword ceases; it responds to her renewed focus, steadying under her grasp. She squares her shoulders, ready for whatever challenge Samaki might present next. Though his attacks have been relentless and seemingly unending, she knows that this is exactly what she needs if she is ever to reach his level of mastery. She only hopes that she can endure long enough to prove herself worthy of his teaching.

The sound of the new hammer startles Forte for just a moment as she is focused on Samaki's approach, but her reaction time remains sharp as ever; she whirls around to meet his advance, her sword slashing through the air in defense. The impact between metal and metal rings out through the chamber, echoing off of walls that have seen countless battles before. Forte feels a surge of triumph at having anticipated Samaki's move so accurately, even as he presses forward with renewed vigor.

Her breath catches in surprise as his teeth brush against her earlobe; she freezes for a heartbeat, unsure how to respond or react. But then anger and determination well up inside her, fueling her resolve. She pushes past the momentary paralysis and focuses on the fight, determined not to let him gain the upper hand again. Every muscle in her body tenses as she readies herself for his next attack.

Forte stiffens as his hammer meets hers once more, feeling the blow reverberate through her arms and into her core. His sudden acceleration takes her by surprise, and before she can react he's upon her, knocking her sword from her grasp with ease. She gasps in shock as he disarms her; it's a move she has never once practiced against or even considered possible. Her cheeks flush hotly at the humiliation of being bested so easily.

Her gaze snaps up to meet Samaki's smiling face, and for a moment her anger threatens to boil over. But then she sees something else in his eyes: respect. It is this realization that finally lets her exhale, relaxing into the loss even as he pokes at her nose with gentle finger.

"I...thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "That was...unexpected." Her voice wavers slightly, betraying the mix of emotions churning within her. "I will not forget this lesson."

A tiny noise of surprise escapes Forte as his hand touches her cheek, the soft brush of his thumb sending shivers down her spine. She closes her eyes briefly, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her at his words; it is easy to imagine that he truly believes in her, and this thought alone gives her strength she didn't know she possessed.

When their noses bump together, she laughs breathlessly, the sound unexpectedly light and feminine. "Thank you, Samaki," she whispers, not quite able to meet his gaze as she says it. Her cheeks flush even deeper with color; despite herself, she feels a blush creeping up her neck and down her shoulders. It is a foreign sensation, this vulnerability in front of him, but somehow also strangely welcome. "I will not disappoint you."

Blushing furiously now, Forte can barely think past the heat in her cheeks and the fluttering sensation in her chest as she listens to him call her "cat." The kiss steals whatever words might have formed on her tongue, leaving her feeling disoriented and giddy. She takes a moment to compose herself before nodding slightly, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "Yes," she manages, her voice thick with emotion. "Dinner sounds...lovely."

With shaking hands, she accepts the longsword from Samaki, suddenly feeling self-conscious about how easily he bested her earlier. It only emphasizes the distance between them; despite all her training and skill, he remains an impossible ideal for her to reach. But perhaps...perhaps if they work together, she can someday earn his trust and respect as more than just a knight in shining armor.

"Thank you, Samaki," she whispers, ducking her head briefly before looking up at him again with an unreadable expression. "For everything."

The weight of his words settles heavily on her shoulders as they make their way through the castle, but she can't help the tiny smile that tugs at the corner of her mouth. To hear him call her "cat" and promise to teach her everything is a balm to the deepest wounds she hadn't even known were there; it feels like coming home after a long journey, surrounded by warmth and acceptance where before there had only been cold stone and emptiness.

As they sit down in the dining hall, Forte takes a moment to compose herself once more, struggling to maintain her dignity as she processes all that has happened between them today. Despite her best efforts, however, a tiny giggle slips free from her throat; it sounds both relieved and delighted at the same time, like the laughter of someone who has finally found peace within themselves.

"Thank you," she says quietly, meeting Samaki's gaze with newfound understanding and gratitude. "For showing me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible." A faint blush still colors her cheeks as she

A tiny gasp escapes Forte at his words; they seem to resonate deep within her, a truth that has eluded her for so long. "I...I never thought of it that way," she admits softly, looking down at the table before meeting Samaki's gaze once more. "It seems so simple now, when you put it into words like that." Her cheeks flush again at his gentle touch; despite herself, she leans into it, savoring the contact.

She takes a sip of wine, pondering his words as they echo through her mind. Everything can be learned...it's a liberating thought, one that gives her hope for the future and fills her with renewed determination. She smiles at Samaki, heartfelt gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispers again. "For showing me this path."

For the rest of dinner, Forte finds herself lost in thought, mulling over all that has happened between them today and wondering what it means for their future together. The tension in her shoulders begins to ease, replaced

Pausing with her fork halfway to her mouth, Forte frowns slightly in contemplation at Samaki's words. They are unsettling; the image of a tree lacking a trunk suggests an essential piece missing, something fundamental that she has perhaps overlooked. "And what is it you think I am lacking?" she asks quietly, curiosity overriding her momentary discomfort.

She takes a sip of wine, considering his words further as they echo through her mind. It's possible that he refers to some aspect of herself she has yet to confront or accept; perhaps this is what she must find within herself in order to truly become the knight - and the woman - that she strives to be. Her gaze meets Samaki's, hopeful that he will offer her guidance on this journey, even as it terrifies her to think of where it might lead.

A pang of guilt touches Forte's heart as she contemplates the possibility that her lack of confidence is indeed what holds her back. She remembers how easily Samaki disarmed her earlier, how swiftly he bested her in their sparring match. Perhaps he truly does see something she has yet to acknowledge within herself. With a deep breath, she forces herself to meet his gaze squarely.

"You're right," she says softly. "I...I will work on this, Samaki. I promise to confront my fears and become stronger, not just as a knight but as myself." A tiny smile tugs at the corner of her lips; the thought of working alongside him in this endeavor fills her with a warmth that spreads through her whole body, making her feel more confident and determined than ever before.

As they leave the dining hall and make their way towards his tree house, she can't help but wonder what new lessons he has in store for her tonight. Her heart beats faster with anticipation and trepidation, but beneath it all is a quiet

Frowning in puzzlement at his words, Forte can't help but feel as though she's missed something important. "My heart?" she asks, not quite understanding how her emotional state could affect her skills as a knight. She follows him up the stairs to the tree house, her eyes fixed on his back as he leads the way.

The interior of the tree house is warm and inviting; it's a far cry from the austere training room they had left behind. Against one wall sits a small wooden table with several soft pillows scattered around it. A flicker of light comes from an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling, casting gentle shadows across their faces.

"What do you mean?" Forte finally asks as she takes in the cozy surroundings. "My heart isn't ready for what?"

Frowning slightly, Forte listens to his words but can't quite make sense of them. "I don't understand," she confesses, her voice tinged with frustration. "What am I supposed to be practicing exactly?" She tries to meet his gaze, but he seems intent on avoiding eye contact; it only serves to further confuse and unsettle her.

They descend deeper into the tree house, passing through a hidden door that leads to a winding staircase buried within the trunk. The air grows warmer and more humid as they descend, carrying with it the scent of earth and growing things. After several flights of stairs, they reach what appears to be a natural hot spring, its steaming waters filling a small pool carved into the rock.

Taking a deep breath, Forte nods slowly in agreement. She shrugs out of her armor and leaves it on the side, grateful to be free of its weight. As she steps into the waterfall, the heat envelops her like a blanket, easing away the last vestiges of tension from her muscles. Her mind begins to clear, allowing her to focus on her breathing and the sensations of the water caressing her skin.

For several long moments, she simply stands there, lost in thought. It's a rare opportunity for stillness amidst all the chaos that seems to define their lives; she savors it, relishing the silence and calm like a precious gem. As she continues to meditate beneath the waterfall, she finds herself growing more aware of her surroundings: the sound of rushing water, the feel of rock pressing against her back, even the scent of earth and steam filling her nose.

Gradually, she begins to understand what Samaki meant by "practicing with your heart." It's not about physical training or mastering techniques;